Hands Down The Stupidest Question in Internet Marketing

[Ron Douglas]

I'm not sure why I'm risking sharing my opinion here, but it's just been on my mind lately. I'm sure many will disagree, but that's fine. This is not to single anyone out because you can be a brilliant person and still ask a dumb question from time to time. Trust me, I do it all the time.

The dumb question I'm referring to is:

"If he's making so much money, why is he selling his 'secrets' for just $20?"

Does anyone question why Home Depot sells "do it yourself" books next to the register when they also make money from "done for you" installation services? The answer is simply - because people want to buy them and it's easy money.

Let me explain a couple of things I've learned about money since finally making enough for relatives to look at me as "The First National Bank of Ron."

1) Even if I have $500k cash in the bank - if I spend more than I make in a month, I'm not feeling very wealthy.

For example, if I brought in $20k PROFIT this month, but I just spent $40k to have my kitchen remodeled, I'm crying broke. I don't want to buy anything else for awhile and I'm definitely not lending any money, so don't ask. Call me cheap all you want, I'm being smart.

That's how many people with money think about money. There is always the fear of doing an "MC Hammer" and losing it all. That's why what some people are willing to spend often depends on how wealthy they are feeling at the moment.

2) Even if you have a million dollars, It's not really smart to keep more than ~$50k liquid cash in the bank. You want your money to make money instead of getting screwed for the 0.3% interest that savings accounts are paying. Stocks, Bonds, Gold, Real Estate, CDs, Businesses, etc. - wealthy people know it's best to diversify and invest.

Cash flow problems happen to the best of them. I personally know a few top marketers who have been forced to lay people off and/or hold off on paying affiliates. I'm owed more money from 3 different people right now than most people make in several months.

So back to the stupid question:
"If he's making so much money, why is he selling his 'secrets' for just $20?"

Several reasons:

- Because that's what I feel like doing
- Because I want to build my customer list
- Because that's what the market wants to spend
- Because I want to gain your trust and sell you additional items
- Because 99% of you won't do anything with the information anyway
- Because you can give away secrets and help people without giving away the niches you apply them to
- Because I have to pay {insert problem here} my mother's mortgage this month and I don't want to dig into my personal savings.

There are all types of personal reasons - but the point is, don't be so quick to judge people's success based on their prices and don't look a gift horse in the mouth if you can get value at a low price.

[Dennis Gaskill]

What Ron just told you is classic. Ask any wealthy person how to become wealthy and the one thing in common they'll all say is to spend less than you make.

I'd add two other reasons to Ron's list of answers to the "dumb" question:

1. Because it's fun to create a new product to sell. It's a reminder that we have worthwhile knowledge to share, and everyone, regardless of how successful they are, likes to feel useful and appreciated.

2. It's rewarding to help others. By rewarding I don't mean just monetarily, I mean it's personally rewarding to know you're helping others to accomplish their goals. I call this making deposits in your bank of goodwill.

Nice post, Ron.

[Karen Blundell]

love these words, Dennis

...making deposits in your bank of goodwill...

priceless!

[Jason Moffatt]

Originally Posted by Ron Douglas

Cash flow problems happen to the best of them. I personally know a few top marketers who have been forced to lay people off and/or hold off on paying affiliates. I'm owed more money from 3 different people right now than most people make in several months.

I agree with most of what you said, but anyone who holds off paying an affiliate is nothing more than a THIEF!

No if, ands, or buts about it.

The money generated from an affiliate is NEVER your money. The only thing you should be able to do with that money is hold it in a account and collect interest on that money until it's time to pay up.

Let's say your mom is having a operation and needs $56,000 to cover it. Too freaking bad, it's not your money. It's the affiliates. Don't even think about spending it.

Vendors who make up excuses about why they can't pay their affiliates on time make me F%##ing sick!

[CurtisN]

Great post Ron.

To add to your list of reasons:
-because it feels good to help others even though many aren't worth helping
-testimonials, case studies, raving fans
-you know when a friend learns a cool fact from you and they think you're a genius and call you awesome? yeah...that.

To add to the list of stupidest questions in IM:
-Is it/this/[insert business model or product] worth it?
-Is making money possible with this?
-What's the best/fastest/easiest way of making money online?
-Who the **** is Ron Douglas?

Curtis

[Ron Douglas]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

I agree with most of what you said, but anyone who holds off paying an affiliate is nothing more than a THIEF!

No if, ands, or buts about it.

The money generated from an affiliate is NEVER your money. The only thing you should be able to do with that money is hold it in a account and collect interest on that money until it's time to pay up.

Let's say your mom is having a operation and needs $56,000 to cover it. Too freaking bad, it's not your money. It's the affiliates. Don't even think about spending it.

Vendors who make up excuses about why they can't pay their affiliates on time make me F%##ing sick!

I agree J-Mo, it's not their money. I wish everyone thought that way but you'd be surprised.

[aquablue]

I think that most people selling "secrets" do so believing that only a very small percentage of buyers will actually take action, and therefore won't even represent any real competition.

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

The money generated from an affiliate is NEVER your money.

Doesn't stop people from showing it as proof of income, though, does it?

[lcombs]

Originally Posted by CDarklock

Doesn't stop people from showing it as proof of income, though, does it?

To add another point to the "proof of income"...

They also don't show how much it cost them to make that income.

"I made $1,000,000,000 (but I paid $2,000,000,000 in PPC).

Back to the "dumb" question.

The $20 dilemma...

You've got someone who genuinely wants to provide good quality at an affordable price.
But, unfortunately, it begs the question(s)..

"For $20 how good can it be?"

But, I guess that brings us back to the point; fewer people will actually get and/or use the secrets he's giving away.

[Jason Moffatt]

Originally Posted by Mr. Goof Off

Ron don't think I am picking on you sir, but, home depot don't go on seminars and tours talking about "how to" diy. Selling books for them is to help their customers against their biggest competitor which is Lowes. Lowes seem to have made their business more friendly for the people who aren't handy men. Hence: Albeit more women shop at Lowes because they lack the DIY knowledge it takes to make their own stuff at Home Depot.

Home Depot may not go on tour, but they do conduct mini seminar/DIY classes right in their store.

[JohnMcCabe]

That's how many people with money think about money. There is always the fear of doing an "MC Hammer" and losing it all. That's why what some people are willing to spend often depends on how wealthy they are feeling at the moment.

Sticking with the entertainment biz, that's also why you see people like Jay Leno, Regis Philbin and Don Rickles still hitting the road and doing shows in small clubs and casinos around the country, even though what they make from those shows is chicken feed compared to what they make or have made...

[Zeus66]

It's very close to this old bit of nonsense:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

That one makes me want to punch a bunny. As if the two can't co-exist.

[Steven Wagenheim]

Ron, no wonder you're so damn successful.

Unfortunately, the people who need to read this post either won't or
they'll think of a hundred different reasons why it's full of sh*t.

Well, I don't care what anybody says Ron...you're my hero and I wanna
have your baby.

J/K

[Mohammad Afaq]

Yay for Ron Douglas!

You are amazing, inspiring etc.

[ruch1v]

Originally Posted by Zeus66

It's very close to this old bit of nonsense:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

That one makes me want to punch a bunny. As if the two can't co-exist.

Heyy, you leave the bunnys out of it


(strangest saying I've ever heard, is that even real?

[JohnMcCabe]

Originally Posted by Zeus66

It's very close to this old bit of nonsense:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

That one makes me want to punch a bunny. As if the two can't co-exist.

That reminds me of something my late grandfather used to say (he was a master chef and spent much of his career as head chef of a four-diamond restaurant)...

Those who can, cook. Those who can't, teach. Those who can't teach become restaurant critics.

[Hanz]

Originally Posted by Zeus66

It's very close to this old bit of nonsense:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

That one makes me want to punch a bunny. As if the two can't co-exist.

Those who can't, criticize!

[Dennis Gaskill]

Originally Posted by Zeus66

It's very close to this old bit of nonsense:

"Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."

That one makes me want to punch a bunny. As if the two can't co-exist.

Be vewy, vewy quiet, we're hunting wabbits!

[Kurt]

Originally Posted by Jason Moffatt

I agree with most of what you said, but anyone who holds off paying an affiliate is nothing more than a THIEF!

No if, ands, or buts about it.

The money generated from an affiliate is NEVER your money. The only thing you should be able to do with that money is hold it in a account and collect interest on that money until it's time to pay up.

Let's say your mom is having a operation and needs $56,000 to cover it. Too freaking bad, it's not your money. It's the affiliates. Don't even think about spending it.

Vendors who make up excuses about why they can't pay their affiliates on time make me F%##ing sick!

My Mom taught me this when I was 10 years old...If you're in business, the FIRST payment you make is to your workers. Without them, you have nothing.

Not only is it morally wrong to not pay your affiliates, it's stupid. By not paying them, they won't keep selling for you, then pretty soon you have nothing.

[Mubarak Waseem]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

Well, I don't care what anybody says Ron...you're my hero and I wanna
have your baby.

*gasp*


(this part is just for >10 characters )

[Daniel Brock]

THANK YOU RON!

If you have ever spent any time in some of the lower level forums like DP or similar sites like that, I see this question all the time.

It's the most annoying thing ever, especially when most of the times it used to try and prove you are a scammer.

That's the first thing people come up with:

'If you really made that much, you wouldn't be selling it here for $17.'

Well if you would just open your eyes and actually look at my website, you'll notice that it's not the only thing i'm trying to sell to you.

Well said